Comeback falls short against Century

September 30, 2012

BISMARCK - The Minot High School football team knew what to expect from Bismarck Century senior wide receiver Drew Wiseman.

Earlier this week, MHS coach Barry Holmen called him the fastest man in the state. On Saturday, Wiseman burned the Magicians defense for a pair of touchdowns in the Patriots' 24-21 victory at the Community Bowl in a AAA West Region game.

But the electric receiver's biggest contribution didn't even result in a completion. With seven seconds left in a tie game, Wiseman sprinted free toward the end zone. MHS junior defensive back Josh Pizzo had no choice but to push Wiseman before the pass got there.

Article Photos

Adam Lawson/MDNMinot High School junior quarterback Alex Yanosko (14) is wrapped up by Bismarck Century sophomore linebacker Chris Kraft as Yanosko tries to find room in the first quarter of the Magicians’ 24-21 loss at Century.

The Patriots got 15 yards on the pass interference call and an untimed down that Century junior kicker Dominic Neameyer used to drill a 41-yard field goal and send the homecoming fans home happy.

"I feel like, the last play, I just messed up," Pizzo said. "It feels like it was on me a little bit."

Minot (5-1 overall, 2-1 region) was shut down on the ground for much of the game. The Magicians finally got something going on their last two drives, when they scored 11 points in just over three minutes to tie Century (4-2, 3-1).

After junior kicker Ben Love hit a 39-yard field goal to pull Minot within a score, the defense forced a three-and-out. From there, Minot junior quarterback Alex Yanosko took over.

Yanosko had runs of 27 and 14 yards on the final MHS drive. The possession ended with a 14-yard touchdown run that put the Magicians within two. Both teams called timeout before a successful 2-point conversion, which looked familiar to the touchdown.

"It was the exact same play," Yanosko said. "The first time, (Patriots defensive linemen) really were hard on the one side, but the second time we couldn't do anything because it was so condensed ... They were even but I was able to find something I guess."

Wiseman's second touchdown came in the final two minutes of the first half when Minot was hoping for a stop and a 7-3 halftime deficit. The receiver had other ideas.

He caught a screen from senior quarterback Jared Fischer, broke a tackle and was otherwise untouched on a 71-yard excursion to the end zone.

"I think it was a case of almost having too much respect for him," Holmen said. "We're playing a little soft - well when you play soft, you give him space and then he made a great play. Maybe that doesn't happen if we just get up and play him like a lesser athlete."

Yanosko found junior wide receiver Kimani Benjamin wide-open downfield early in the third quarter. Benjamin caught the pass in stride for a 31-yard touchdown.

Century beat the Magicians twice a year ago. Yanosko said the lessons learned in a defeat could pay dividends if the two foes meet again in the playoffs.

"We're going to take this as a learning experience," he said. "We're going to catch them in the playoffs and I guarantee it's going to be a different outcome."